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  Carbon dioxide capture and mitigation of carbon dioxide emissionsUSPTO Application #: 20080031801Title: Carbon dioxide capture and mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes, mineral sequestration, and solid and liquid sorbents. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via condensation on solid surfaces at low temperature. (end of abstract)
Agent: Wilmerhale/columbia University - New York, NY, US Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Patrick Grimes, Samuel C. Krevor, Frank S. Zeman USPTO Applicaton #: 20080031801 - Class: 423438000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Chemistry Of Inorganic Compounds, Carbon Or Compound Thereof, Oxygen Containing, Carbon Dioxide Or Carbonic Acid, From A Carbonate The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080031801. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This patent disclosure contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves any and all copyright rights whatsoever. [0002] All patents, patent applications and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art as known to those skilled therein as of the date of the invention described and claimed herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatuses for capturing, sequestering, storing, disposing of, or entraining carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), such as is found in the air and the environment, as well as for mitigating carbon dioxide emissions. In some aspects of the invention, the CO.sub.2 obtained by the methods and apparatuses is isolated and stored or disposed of to keep it from the air. [0004] A serious environmental problem facing the world today is global climate change, i.e., global warming, which has been linked to the increased production of greenhouse gases, namely, carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2). Growing evidence details the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the air, the most important of which is CO.sub.2, as having an associated role in causing global climate warming. Since 2001, CO.sub.2 accounted for over 82% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Nearly 60% of CO.sub.2 is emitted by utility or industrial power systems, which are based on fossil fuel combustion. A continuing increase in the greenhouse gas CO.sub.2 in the air highlights the need to develop cost effective, reliable and safe methods of CO.sub.2 (or carbon) sequestration. [0005] In order for carbon-rich fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas, to remain viable and environmentally acceptable energy sources throughout the 21.sup.st century and beyond, new technologies that employ capture and sequestration, utilization, or recycling of CO.sub.2 need to be developed at reasonable costs. The sequestration of CO.sub.2 would allow the use of carbon-based fuels to meet the world's increased energy demands far into the future, without further increasing the atmospheric concentration of CO.sub.2. Additionally, for fossil fuels to maintain their predominance in the global energy market, the disposal of CO.sub.2 and the elimination of CO.sub.2 emissions to the air are ultimate goals for curbing the problem of global warming. [0006] The present invention addresses the pervasive problems of the release and presence of excessive amounts of CO.sub.2 in the air and provides solutions to these problems in the form of methods and apparatuses for extracting, capturing and sequestering CO.sub.2 and removing excess CO.sub.2 from the air. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is a general aspect of the present invention to provide new methods or processes for extracting, reducing, capturing, disposing of, sequestering, or storing CO.sub.2 or removing excess CO.sub.2 from the air, as well as new methods and processes for reducing, alleviating, or eliminating CO.sub.2 in the air, and/or the emissions of CO.sub.2 to the air. Another aspect of the invention relates to apparatuses, such as wind or air capture systems, to remove or extract CO.sub.2 from air. As used herein, the term "air" refers to ambient air, rather than emitted gas, such as gas that is emitted from a smoke stack or an exhaust pipe. While the latter may contain air, it is not typically considered ambient air. In accordance with the present invention, extraction of CO.sub.2 from air involves source gas, which is at atmospheric temperature, pressure and ambient concentration of CO.sub.2. [0008] In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a process involving acidic pH and elevated temperature for sequestering CO.sub.2 as solid carbonate materials, e.g., magnesium carbonate, is provided. Suitable acids for this process are those that dissolve magnesium bearing silicates, such as serpentine, or olivine. The acidic solution formed contains dissolved magnesium salts, as well as some silica and dissolved iron salts. The acidic solution is neutralized to remove dissolved silica, and the dissolved iron salts are precipitated out as iron oxides and/or hydroxides. According to one aspect of the method, the magnesium salts in the solution are transformed into ammonium salts via precipitation of magnesium by the addition of ammonia-containing reagents, such as ammonium hydroxide, ammonium carbonate, or ammonium bicarbonate. Unless otherwise defined, the terms "method" and "process" are used interchangeably throughout this disclosure. [0009] In an aspect of the present invention, a method of extracting or sequestering carbon dioxide is provided. The method comprises (a) dissolving a magnesium bearing silicate in an aqueous acid to form an acidic solution; (b) increasing the pH of the solution of step (a) to precipitate one or more magnesium components; and (c) carbonating the precipitated magnesium components from step (b) to bind carbon dioxide. In another aspect the invention provides a method of extracting or sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising: (a) dissolving a magnesium bearing silicate in an aqueous acid to form an acidic solution; (b) increasing the pH of the solution of step (a) to precipitate one or more magnesium components; (c) carbonating the precipitated magnesium components from step (b) to bind carbon dioxide; and (d) recovering ammonia gas and acid by thermal decomposition, e.g., heating, or by electrodialysis. [0010] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method or process of extracting, sequestering, or capturing carbon dioxide. The process comprises (a) dissolving a magnesium bearing silicate in an aqueous acid to form an acidic solution; (b) neutralizing the acidic solution to remove partially-dissolved silica and produce a dissolved magnesium component; (c) precipitating a solid magnesium component from the neutralized solution with an ammonia containing reagent, thereby producing an ammonium salt in the solution; (d) precipitating the ammonium salt from the solution; and (e) carbonating the precipitated magnesium component to sequester or eliminate carbon dioxide, e.g., from the air. In addition, ammonia gas and acid (in liquid form) can be recovered in the method by thermal decomposition, e.g., heating, or by electrochemical methods. [0011] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of extracting, sequestering, reducing, or eliminating carbon dioxide involving (a) dissolving a magnesium bearing silicate in an aqueous acid to form an acidic solution; (b) neutralizing the acidic solution with a neutralizing agent to precipitate iron and silicate; (c) precipitating magnesium from the solution with a base, such as, for example, an ammonia-containing reagent; and (d) carbonating the precipitated magnesium component from step (c) to extract, sequester, reduce, or eliminate carbon dioxide. In addition, thermal decomposition or electrochemical processes can be used to recover ammonia and acid. As used herein, a base is a water-soluble compound, or aqueous solution comprised therefrom, that is capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt. Illustratively, such compounds comprise molecules, substances, or ions able to take up a proton from an acid, or able to give up an unshared electron pair to an acid. Basic solutions comprising the methods of the invention generally have a pH above about 7. [0012] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides processes for extracting carbon dioxide from the air using solid or liquid sorbents that bind CO.sub.2. Examples of solid sorbents include, without limitation, activated carbon, zeolites, or activated alumina. Examples of liquid sorbents include, without limitation, high pH solutions, such as sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, or organic solvents, e.g., monoethanolamine (MEA), or SELEXOL.RTM.. [0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for extracting or capturing carbon dioxide from air using a solid absorber or sorbent material. The method involves (a) exposing a carbon dioxide absorber material comprising a large absorption surface to the air until the absorber material is saturated, or nearly saturated, with carbon dioxide; (b) removing remnant air from the saturated absorber material under vacuum or reduced pressure; (c) condensing the carbon dioxide on a cold surface to capture the carbon dioxide, e.g., in a solid form; and (d) releasing the captured carbon dioxide to a system for collection, storage, or transport. In accordance with this method, the solid sorbent material can comprise materials, objects, or substances, such as beads, rods, fabric, or moveable objects comprising rough surfaces, that move while exposed to air. In one aspect of the method, the carbon dioxide solid sorbent comprises a material that absorbs CO.sub.2 throughout its entirety. Such a sorbent is preferably hydrophobic. Alternatively, the carbon dioxide sorbent comprises an inert material that is coated or covered with one or more CO.sub.2 sorbents. Further in accordance with the method of this aspect of the invention, steps (b) and (c) can be performed in a first and second vacuum chamber, respectively, as described further herein. In addition, absorbed CO.sub.2 can be released and captured in condensed form, i.e., dry ice, in a cold trap serving as the cold surface. [0014] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a cryogenic carbon dioxide capturing or entrapping system comprising (a) a first chamber, or evacuation chamber, that houses carbon dioxide sorbent material, which is laden with carbon dioxide, for example, or on which carbon dioxide is captured; (b) a vacuum system which connects to the first chamber, partially reduces pressure therein and removes remnant air from the sorbent material; and (c) a second chamber which is connected to the first chamber and which has a temperature suitable for condensation and collection of carbon dioxide from the first chamber as solid carbon dioxide onto one or more surfaces in the second chamber. For example, the temperature of the second chamber can be about -80.degree. C. or about -100.degree. C. or lower. The second chamber can comprise a reduced partial pressure relative to the first chamber. [0015] In another aspect, a method of sequestering CO.sub.2 in ocean waters is described and involves the calcining of a material, such as limestone, dolomite, or carbonate to capture CO.sub.2 from the air, for ultimate disposal in the ocean. According to this method, the alkalinity of the ocean surface is raised by the introduction (e.g., by injection) of metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide-containing materials such as, without limitation, MgO/CaO, Mg(OH).sub.2/Ca(OH).sub.2, MgO/CaCO.sub.3, or Mg(OH).sub.2/CaCO.sub.3. Such metal oxide materials are obtained by a calcination process and can lead to the additional capture of two moles of CO.sub.2 for every mole of CO.sub.2 entered into the system, as described herein. In this aspect, the CO.sub.2 liberated in the calcination process plus the CO.sub.2 resulting from the energy consumption of the calcination process is captured and disposed of. Accordingly, a method for removing carbon dioxide from air is provided, involving (a) calcining a metal carbonate--(e.g., calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate) containing material to obtain one or more metal hydroxide calcination products; (b) introducing the calcination products of step (a) into a body of water so that the calcination products dissolve at or near the water surface; and (c) increasing the alkalinity of the water so as to capture at least two times the amount of carbon dioxide that is released by the calcining of step (a). After their production, the calcination products of step (b) can be finely dispersed into ocean or seawater from one or more vessels that drag behind or between them a line that drops a fine powder in the water, as described herein. Alternatively as described, the calcination products are fashioned into larger pellets that are dropped or ejected into the water. Such pellets can comprise CaCO.sub.3/MgO mixtures and disperse and dissolve at the water's surface. [0016] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method of carbon capture that removes CO.sub.2 from air. The method also advantageously serves to regenerate the sorbent employed in the method. The method involves the use of an alkaline liquid sorbent, e.g., sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-based, to remove CO.sub.2 from ambient air and produce carbonate ions. The resultant sodium carbonate (Na.sub.2CO.sub.3) solution is mixed or reacted with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH).sub.2) to produce sodium hydroxide and calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3) in a causticizing reaction, which transfers the carbonate anion from the sodium to the calcium cation. The calcium carbonate precipitates as calcite, leaving behind a regenerated sodium hydroxide sorbent, thus regenerating the sorbent. The calcite precipitate is dried, washed and thermally decomposed to produce lime (CaO) and gaseous CO.sub.2 in a calcination process. Thereafter, the lime is hydrated (slaked) to regenerate the calcium hydroxide sorbent. In a related aspect, this method can be implemented using air capturing systems, for example, towers or air or wind capture units of various design, which function as the physical sites where CO.sub.2 is captured and removed from the air. [0017] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for extracting or capturing carbon dioxide from air, comprising: (a) exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base, resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution; (b) causticizing the carbonate solution with a titanate-containing reagent; (c) increasing the temperature of the solution generated in step (b) to release carbon dioxide; and (d) hydrating solid components remaining from step (c) to regenerate the base comprising step (a). [0018] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for extracting or capturing carbon dioxide from air comprising: (a) exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base, thus resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution; (b) causticizing the carbonate solution with a calcium hydroxide containing reagent; (c) calcining the resulting calcium carbonate under thermal conditions in which one or more mixed solid oxide membranes is interposed between the combustion gases and the input air; and (d) hydrating the product lime to regenerate the calcium hydroxide involved in step (b). [0019] In yet another aspect the present invention provides systems and apparatuses for extracting, capturing, removing, or entraining CO.sub.2 from the air. Such capture apparatuses can include wind and air capture systems or a cooling-type tower for extracting, capturing, removing, or entraining CO.sub.2 as further described herein. Fan driven systems are also encompassed. [0020] Additional aspects, features and advantages afforded by the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description, figures, and exemplification hereinbelow. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] FIG. 1 presents a schematic depiction of an overview of an air extraction process. Drying (d) and hydrating (h) are not specifically shown. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, such a process is functionally integrated into an air capture system. Continue reading... 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